Protest at Georgia Capitol Condemns Militarization of Streets and Collaboration with Racist ICE Operations, Linking it to Trump’s Authoritarian Playbook
The Party for Socialism and Liberation, ICE Breakers, Atlanta Democratic Socialists of America, Immigrant Rights Alliance and the Campaign to Shut Down Folkston ICE Processing Center will hold an emergency protest tomorrow at the Georgia State Capitol to condemn Governor Brian Kemp’s announcement that he will mobilize National Guard troops to patrol Georgia’s streets. The action is a direct response to what organizers are calling a dangerous and racist expansion of police state tactics, mirroring the unlawful federal takeover of Washington, D.C., and explicitly targeting immigrant communities.
The protest will begin at 6:00 PM on Thursday, August 28 outside Governor Brian Kemp‘s office on the east steps of the Georgia State Capitol Building, 262 Capital Ave SE, Atlanta.
This mobilization in Georgia is part of a national wave, with over 17,000 National Guard troops now being activated across 19 states, predominantly in the South. This follows President Trump’s unprecedented and illegal seizure of the D.C. police department, where he deployed federal agents and troops, used openly racist rhetoric to demonize Black communities, and explicitly encouraged police violence. Critically, Trump also implied that ICE would step up deportation raids as a central part of his DC takeover.
“What we are seeing is a coordinated, nationwide attempt to impose a police state where civil liberties are shredded for everyone, with a specific target on immigrant and Black communities,” said Angel Cordova with the Party for Socialism and Liberation. “Governor Kemp is not just bringing troops to our streets; he is mobilizing them to work in conjunction with racist ICE operations. This transforms the National Guard into a deportation force, designed to terrorize and tear apart our communities.”
Protest organizers point to Trump’s statements in DC—where he encouraged police to “knock the hell out of them” and said cops are “allowed to do whatever the hell they want”—as a direct threat to the constitutional rights of all people. The deployment of soldiers to patrol American streets sets a mandate for wanton acts of violence, violations of rights, and the aggressive pursuit of deportations.
“There are no emergency circumstances that justify this militarization of our streets or the targeting of our immigrant neighbors,” Angel Cordova continued. “This is a political move designed to intimidate dissent, suppress the movement for racial justice, and carry out the Trump administration’s anti-immigrant agenda. The people of Georgia will not accept the occupation of our communities or the collaboration between the National Guard and ICE.”
The protest demands the immediate reversal of the Governor’s order and stands in solidarity with the people of Washington, D.C., and all states facing similar militarized deployments.
WHO: The Party for Socialism and Liberation, ICE Breakers, Atlanta Democratic Socialists of America, Immigrant Rights Alliance and the Campaign to Shut Down Folkston ICE Processing Center
WHAT: Emergency Protest Against National Guard & ICE Collaboration & Police State Expansion
WHEN: Tomorrow, Thursday, August 28 at 6:00 PM
WHERE: Governor Brian Kemp‘s office on the east steps of the Georgia State Capitol Building, 262 Capital Ave SE, Atlanta
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